The dominant is the eye used for aiming. It may be very useful to know which it is.
In the general case, the dominant eye corresponds to the dexterity, but this is not always the true. Sometimes, people have accuracy and sight setting problems because they use a bow that does not fit the dominant eye, but their manual dexterity.
The opposite drawing shows the consequences on the aiming. Of course, archers may set their sight. However, as the visual alignment is different from the bow alignment (arrow, string, sight), we generally notice a lack of accuracy of the shots.

A right-handed archer may perfectly use a left-handed bow in order to obtain a good alignment with his left dominant eye.



This is better if the dominant eye is determined before beginners start shooting; thus they will be provided with the proper equipment.

There are simple tests to find it:

The archer aim a finger at a target with both eyes open. Then, he alternatively close the left then the right eye and check which eye aims truly at the target.

Another test, that suit very well children (source: Cédric Girard), consists in asking the archer to form a circle with his hands and to aim, with both eye open, at one of your eye (close the other). You will see through the circle which eye he uses to aim, that is to say his dominant eye.

What the child see
What you will see if the child has a left dominant eye.


Advice:

Some people may not have a well-determined dominant eye, especially if he is tired or those that do not have a relief vision. The aiming is directed alternatively by one eye or the other, allowing arrows to scatter horizontally. In order to prevent that, the only efficient thing to do is to hide or to close the eye not corresponding to the bow arm.
Also, if an archer does not shoot with the bow arm corresponding to the dominant eye, whatever the reason, this is highly recommended that he closes the dominant eye and use the other to aim.


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Author (texts et drawings): Cécile Lafaurie